In The Hands Of Fate

Chapter 2

As the night wound down, the glamor of the gala faded, leaving Ruhi in a quiet cocoon of reflection. After the congratulations from her friends and family, she finally made her way to her room. The dim light cast soft shadows across her walls, adorned with sketches, awards, and a few treasured photographs.

Among them, one photo stood out—a picture of Aarohi, her late mother, with a bright smile that seemed to radiate warmth and love. Ruhi picked it up gently, her heart aching with the familiar pang of loss. She sat on the edge of her bed, cradling the frame in her hands.

"Mom," she whispered, her voice barely breaking the silence. "I wish you could have been here tonight. You would have loved it."

The memories flooded her mind: the way Aarohi would cheer her on, the late-night talks about dreams and ambitions, the unwavering belief her mother had in her talents. Yet, amid that warmth lay the bitter memory of the past—the accident that took Aarohi away, a twist of fate that had changed everything.

Ruhi sighed, staring into her mother's smiling eyes. "I know it's not fair to blame anyone, but I can't help but feel... if things had been different, you would still be here. I wish I could just talk to you and know what you'd say."

Tears prickled at the corners of her eyes as she recalled the family dynamics that had unraveled after the tragedy. Her thoughts drifted to Akshara, her mother's sister, who had moved away with her son Abhir and husband Abhimanyu. Though Ruhi understood that Akshara wasn't at fault, she couldn't shake off the feelings of resentment that sometimes surfaced.

Meanwhile, in the adjoining room, Aradhya and Parinidhi were catching up after the gala, their laughter echoing in the cozy space. Pari tossed a few cushions onto the couch and plopped down beside her sister.

"Did you see Ruhi up there? She was incredible!" Aradhya exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

"Absolutely! She deserves every bit of that recognition," Pari agreed, but her expression shifted to something more contemplative. "But I can't help but think about everything that happened. It's still hard to process, you know?"

Aradhya nodded, her demeanor growing serious. "I know. We were old enough to understand what went down. Akshara wasn't at fault. She loved Aarohi as much as we did."

"True," Pari replied. "But Ruhi's still struggling with it. Sometimes I feel like she's unfairly blaming Akshara. We need to be there for her."

Just then, Ruhi emerged from her room, her eyes slightly red but a determined smile on her face. "What are you two talking about?" she asked, trying to keep her voice light.

"Just discussing how fabulous you looked tonight," Aradhya said quickly, winking at Pari.

Ruhi chuckled, knowing better than to be swayed by their deflection. "You know, it's okay to talk about it. I miss Mom, and sometimes it just hurts."

Pari leaned forward, her voice gentle. "We all do, Ruhi. But you know we're here for you. And Akshara is still part of our family, no matter what happened."

Ruhi's expression shifted, a flicker of conflict crossing her face. "I just... I don't know if I can fully forgive her yet. It's complicated."

"We get it," Aradhya said, placing a comforting hand on Ruhi's shoulder. "But maybe it's time to reach out? Abhir misses you too. I think he would love to hear from you."

"Abhir..." Ruhi murmured, thinking of her cousin who was now growing up far away, adjusting to life without his mother. The last time they spoke was brief and distant.

"Yeah, he's always asking about you," Pari added. "It would be good for both of you. Plus, he's going to need all the family he can get."

Ruhi felt a flicker of hope mixed with trepidation. "I'll think about it," she replied softly.

As they settled into their evening routine, the laughter and lighthearted banter resumed, but a weight hung in the air. Ruhi knew she had to confront her feelings—both towards her family and the haunting memories of loss. But for now, with her sisters by her side, she could find solace in the love that still surrounded her, even if the shadows of the past loomed close.